Machines that shake you in order to help get rid of fat may actually work, according to new research.

Scientists from the University of Antwerp found that overweight people who regularly used the equipment in combination with a calorie-restricted diet were more successful at long-term weight loss than those who combined dieting with conventional exercise.

The study followed 61 people, mostly women, for a year. For the first six months, people were told which kind of exercise to do. After that, they could make their own plan.

There were four groups: one got a diet plan; the second got the diet plan and a workout plan with supervised classes; the third got a diet plan and supervised workouts on the vibrating machines; a fourth was given no treatment.

"Over the year, only the conventional fitness and vibration groups managed to maintain a 5 percent weight loss, which is what is considered enough to improve health," study leader Dirk Vissers said.

The dieters lost 6 percent of their weight, but couldn't keep it off. The second group lost more weight -- 7 percent -- and kept it off. The vibration group lost 11 percent and maintained a 10.5 percent reduction for six months.

Those who were not given diet advice or an exercise plan gained 1.5 percent of their body weight.

"These are very encouraging results, but it doesn't mean people trying to lose weight can ditch aerobic exercise and jump on the vibration plate instead. They still need a healthy diet and aerobic exercise, but this could be a viable alternative to weight lifting," Vissers said.

He pointed out that people can't just stand on the machines and expect results. They also have to do exercises such as squats, lunges, calf raises or pushups while on them.

The study was presented on Friday at the European Congress on Obesity.